Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has appointed corporate vice chairman Ronan O'Sullivan as managing partner of the US firm's London office, following the announcement that incumbent Phil Feder is set to return to Los Angeles.

O'Sullivan, who joined Paul Hastings six years ago from Herbert Smith and made partner in 2006, will continue to drive the firm's global strategy to grow its corporate practice in London.

His work focuses on capital markets and corporate finance, with a particular emphasis on M&A and securities offerings.

Feder, who has spent nearly three years as London head, is relocating to California in July in order to be closer to his key clients. He will continue in his role as global chairman of the real estate practice.

Feder commented: "Our chairman Seth Zachary specified at our annual partners' conference that London and New York are the firm's top priorities in terms of growth, with a particular emphasis on the corporate practice. [O'Sullivan] is well-placed to see this strategy through."

The US firm recently moved to rebuild its City employment practice with the hire of Morrison & Foerster counsel Suzanne Horne as its UK employment head. The hire of Horne came after Paul Hastings lost its UK employment team, led by Christopher Walter, to Covington & Burling last November.